Cloning of Three MAGE Genes from Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

ABSTRACT

To clone the full length cDNA of the tumor rejection gene MAGE-1 from hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) tissues. This MAGE-1 gene and the tumor rejection antigen encoded by it may be useful in subsequent studies aiming at exploring new strategies for the immunotherapy for HCC. Methods: The full length MAGE-1 cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR method using a pair of primers designed according to the encoding sequence of MAGE-1 gene. The PCR products were then digested by restriction endonucleases and inserted into the plasmid PUC19. After primary selection of the recombinants by endonuclease digestion, the sequences of the inserted gene fragments were confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. Results; Using the same pair of primers, we obtained three clones of different MAGE genes, which were a full length MAGE-1 gene, a 750 bp fragment of MAGE-3 gene and a gene highly homologous to MAGE-6 and MAGE-12 but not identical to any reported MAGE genes. Conclusion: These data suggested that some MAGE genes are expressed in heptocellular carcinoma probably including some unknown genes, which might introduce potential new targets for immune attacks.